Stratifikacija

Stratifikacija is a term used in several fields to describe the arrangement of something into layers or strata. In sociology, stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in a society based on factors such as wealth, income, education, occupation, social status, and power. This social stratification can lead to inequality, where certain groups have more access to resources and opportunities than others.

In geology, stratification describes the formation of layered rocks, known as strata, which are deposited over time. These layers can provide valuable information about the Earth's history, including past environments and geological events. Geologists study the thickness, composition, and sequence of these strata to understand geological processes.

The concept also appears in biology, particularly in ecology, where it refers to the vertical layering of habitats in environments like forests or oceans. For example, a forest can be stratified into canopy, understory, shrub layer, and forest floor, each supporting different species and ecological interactions. Similarly, aquatic ecosystems are stratified by depth, influencing light penetration, temperature, and the distribution of organisms.

In the context of data analysis and computer science, stratification can refer to dividing a dataset into subgroups or strata based on certain characteristics. This is often done to ensure that a sample taken from the dataset is representative of the whole, or for more targeted analysis. For instance, when conducting a survey, a population might be stratified by age group to ensure each group is adequately represented in the sample.